[{"_1":2,"_96":-5,"_97":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,84],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":55,"_73":55},"mediaId",6309757,"mediaKeyId","2409114-aa472562efbb2700320c65ae1471e133","parentId",2409114,"title","Votes at a glance: South Colonie Board approves minutes, contracts, personnel actions and memoranda of agreement","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",5419000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2409114-aa472562efbb2700320c65ae1471e133&start=5419&end=5419","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2409114-aa472562efbb2700320c65ae1471e133/thumbnail_5419000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6309757/New-York/Votes-at-a-glance-South-Colonie-Board-approves-minutes-contracts-personnel-actions-and-memoranda-of-agreement","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6309757-6257a9ddc60013f2d3e166b9a2086297/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168575&Signature=mAA3S69Rr1BabSwfKQVQH1bTPnxLkpqqxzvEkTnTTPr5nRcZqcJPpPNCoSyz2ofF4425n~TZIXLY~Idrf7EGx6duIw-yhCM7NYmQICWD0k6HrhUOkxGUx80B~tPT2CenRL9CoFT5jzBNJYxME2iA6IbNxyNFupnBt5Tw~gxAVAsCRjdsjqlqhJgfcXbp3bWfxgQlJzu6aKN9GGjYjUerc63PaoR3FKMxPOTy~07rlJputWdbtNfvxBecAttgrTFEEf4WmLO7wjG-DAIu2exAZ7cn9fXcUUtuyBjq8Kf91y7LTN-exarxlhp-en3dTsDzJRu~BDNWS1Nw-4iuO08YoA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-02-26T13:25:21Z","article","The South Colonie Central School District Board of Education recorded a series of routine approvals at its Feb. 25 meeting. Items on the consent and action agendas were approved as follows:

- Approval of minutes: The minutes of the regular meeting of Feb. 4, 2025 were approved (motion by Thomas Blakely; seconded by Mr. Mesic). Vote recorded as 9–0 in favor.

- Policy committee recommendations: The board unanimously approved policy revisions presented by the Policy Committee (motion by Christopher Larrabee, committee chair; vote recorded as 9–0).

- Health and welfare contracts: Contracts to provide nursing and health services to private and neighboring‑district schools were approved (motion by Rose Giglielo; seconded by Michael Keane). Vote recorded as 9–0.

- Instruction personnel changes: The board approved instruction personnel changes listed on the attached sheets dated Feb. 25, 2025 (motion by Thomas Blakely; seconded by Mr. Meeseeks). Vote recorded as unanimous where recorded in the minutes.

- Support personnel changes: Support personnel changes listed on the attached sheets dated Feb. 25, 2025 were approved (motion by Brian Casey; seconded by Jennifer Houlihan). Vote recorded as 9–0.

- Teamsters Local 294 memorandum of agreement: The board approved the four‑year memorandum of agreement negotiated with Teamsters Local 294; staff reported the agreement was approved by union representatives and recommended for board approval. Vote recorded as 9–0.

- ROC/BOCES data‑privacy resolution: A resolution authorizing the district to participate in a BOCES‑wide vendor agreement process related to Education Law 2‑d (student data privacy) was approved (motion by Jennifer Houlihan; seconded by Rose Giglielo). Vote recorded as 9–0.

- Adjournment and routine procedural motions: The meeting adjournment motion carried (vote recorded as 9–0).

Notes: The district’s minutes show multiple unanimous motions recorded as “motion carries 9–0.” One roll‑call hand vote during the meeting appears irregular in the transcript, but the board’s formal minutes and subsequent routine approvals indicate the listed personnel and contract motions were adopted and will be reflected in board records. Where motions cited attached sheets, the minutes reference the documents dated 02/25/2025.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Education Meeting - Feb 25, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its Feb. 25 meeting the South Colonie Central School District Board of Education approved the Feb. 4 minutes, policy committee recommendations, several personnel actions, health and welfare contracts, a Teamsters memorandum of agreement and a BOCES ROC resolution; each recorded vote was unanimous where recorded.","taxTitle","SOUTH COLONIE CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Districts, New York","taxId",53286,"location","New York","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":42,"_43":77,"_45":77,"_46":78,"_48":79,"_50":80,"_52":81,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":82,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":83,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":55,"_73":55},6309762,"South Colonie outlines special education priorities, proposes UPK expansion and staffing requests for 2025–26 budget",2668000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2409114-aa472562efbb2700320c65ae1471e133&start=2668&end=2668","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2409114-aa472562efbb2700320c65ae1471e133/thumbnail_2668000.jpg","/articles/6309762/New-York/South-Colonie-outlines-special-education-priorities-proposes-UPK-expansion-and-staffing-requests-for-202526-budget","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6309762-bcc62cb54926e7de62a3948495ec0b13/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168575&Signature=Y8WCx8BaO52yGfEOZcz61-0a0UAdvW94n~YHadnV3bjNBY95LbyCDYKlPvalOvt4GvHdv8E0Cd0uD1Z4xh5InG7YUCsKijjAXzYxQRONxNI99LeaI8skMMm~AOGDZvtqUYbRe7FVsNmanpGbn-DzUsi0d2G6B78EJMBSolhpNNGJdmgEMTjoN~h2FmdDq~ajrj1Svemv6gKPWCCCkk4TRsBUQwho3CvBh6hzW6~w7f9Gp45YeGpocfLD56exJf3atWBdd4vz6Aya9FXC4KrYN5982kShNdouZwWZbAmrPW6eo5YyRdMDnCBlH3L~28pl4d7n6UwhFRvtRZ0fQo-pvg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","South Colonie Central School District officials presented the district’s special education and student‑support priorities and initial budget requests to the Board of Education on Feb. 25, pressing the need to address preschool service wait lists, out‑of‑district placements and program continuity as the district prepares its 2025–26 budget.

Melissa Willman, director of special education and student support services, told the board the department has focused on consistent practices, data‑driven decision making and recalibration of services after an internal audit. Willman said the district has added two physical therapists and a part‑time school psychologist to integrate services more closely with student teams and said staff conducted an educational‑benefit review of redacted individual education programs (IEPs) that found students were receiving educational benefit but identified areas for refinement.

The presentation outlined several enrollment‑driven issues and proposed responses. Willman said about 30 students are placed outside the district — including one residential placement — and that the district expects 29 of those students to remain in those placements. She said there are wait lists for county‑provided preschool special education services that leave some eligible 3‑ and 4‑year‑olds without early intervention before kindergarten. Willman also said three students are likely to remain in school through the semester of their 20th birthday under current rules.

Supervisors described building‑level priorities and program changes. Kimberly Matthews, supervisor for preK–4 special education, said the district is developing more consistent behavior supports and that district physical therapists are integrating with building teams and helping plan an MTSS (multi‑tiered systems of support) approach in elementary classrooms. Brian Scalzo (supervisor, grades 5–12) and Mr. Boardman (supervisor, E&L and UPK special programs) described efforts to align transitional and work‑based programs, including the PACE lab and a newly launched Wolfie’s Cup at the high school to provide work‑based experiences for life‑skills students.

Budget requests presented to the board include:
- Adding an UPK interventionist to help fill preschool service gaps and support transition for students on county wait lists.
- Converting a contracted music‑therapy service to a district employee if feasible, to increase schedule flexibility while remaining budget neutral.
- Adding a full‑time school psychologist to support growing E&L needs.
- Exploring an internal assistive‑technology/speech position to manage augmentative communication devices once current contracts expire.

Willman noted tradeoffs: hiring district staff might shift responsibilities from the county to the district and could increase long‑term costs because county reimbursement rates differ from district salary scales.

Board members asked several operational questions during the presentation. David Kiel asked whether the district conducts the assessments families need to qualify for OPWDD (the New York Office for People With Developmental Disabilities); Willman said the district “does our best” but is not always obligated or able to perform the specific assessments OPWDD requires. Board members asked about TCIS (Therapeutic Crisis Intervention for Schools) training and follow‑up after students leave school; staff said the district participates in New York State’s Indicator 14 follow‑up process to track outcomes after exit.

The presentation also covered proposed UPK changes: district staff said the plan is to move to five 5‑hour UPK classes (one in each elementary building) while retaining two half‑day slots in communities where families have asked for that option. Staff said exact enrollment will be determined by the district lottery.

Why it matters: The requests would affect staffing and the instructional budget if adopted. Students waiting for preschool special‑education services and those placed outside the district represent both service gaps and cost pressures. Board members were advised these items would be considered in the district’s first‑draft budget and in upcoming budget workshops.

Next steps: The district’s budget calendar provided by staff calls for a budget workshop on March 11, a second‑draft community forum on April 8, a final presentation and adoption on April 23, and the budget vote and board elections on May 20, 2025.","District special education and student support services staff presented priorities to the Board of Education on Feb. 25, highlighting wait lists for preschool services, growth in E&L populations, added therapists, proposed UPK full‑day expansion and several staffing requests to be considered in the 2025–26 budget.",{"_33":85,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":86,"_41":87,"_43":88,"_45":89,"_46":90,"_48":91,"_50":92,"_52":93,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":94,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":95,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":55,"_73":55},6309767,"Alumni, parents and players urge South Colonie board to delay enforcing administrator‑coach rule",2395,483000,2878000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2409114-aa472562efbb2700320c65ae1471e133&start=483&end=2878","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2409114-aa472562efbb2700320c65ae1471e133/thumbnail_483000.jpg","/articles/6309767/New-York/Alumni-parents-and-players-urge-South-Colonie-board-to-delay-enforcing-administratorcoach-rule","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6309767-d17b2cc77ff2597c1032ddcbbab50005/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168575&Signature=kXfbJVu6w2nHlDJN2E9oLs0oBVOVRuH26iT1z1EGjNe9w1twOM868Z~kyHfM61rGZoUeUbFx0qNNBM2f0hGPhKUVEFRdYW0aZMoZXgNuf32~9oxTiKPMiT7eTA4Zu50WVGRNvLKAK6gqsUh3ECR6Br83xFfNzTS1gndO5XCgK9J0C-sN1cEAUvkfYJIr4tzDwrcs4Z33g2ZG18VpP2nBNMwHxyO4nJmt9DLRMAKzYYPZiD3lzSmfh4pyhKeST75pOSMwc-fy6VOYcuVmepBfNL13yY-XENN6KZ3D~I5hnP40jOmav5KoVg9oKQc2pAJtcBK0r~om5cB9xReMxe7c4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of alumni, parents and student athletes spoke at the South Colonie Central School District Board of Education meeting on Feb. 25, urging the board not to remove the current varsity football coach or to delay enforcement of a rule that would bar an administrator from serving as coach.

Speakers framed their appeals as concerns about student development and continuity rather than wins and losses. Michael Norelli, identified by the president as a Colony alumnus speaking on behalf of Colony alumni, said coaching “is about shaping young athletes into hardworking, responsible, resilient young adults” and described the program’s long‑term impact on players’ lives. He said he traveled from out of town to attend the meeting because he was “that strongly about this position.”

The students who spoke described close relationships with the coaching staff and academic supports tied to the program. Brady Wylan, identified as a current player, said the coaching staff organized academic meetings during school hours to review grades and “brought that culture back into Colony.” Aiden Iyers, another student, said the program’s “coaching staff is very academic minded,” and Sal Satone said the team’s season GPA was “95%.” Several parents and boosters echoed those points and asked the board to allow the coach to complete next season so the coach could finish coaching his son, noting the coach’s long tenure.

Parent Kelly Wyland, who said her son is a senior and that the coach has been “coaching for 32 years and leading the team for the last 6 seasons,” asked the board to postpone enforcement of any ban on administrators who coach for one more year so the coach could finish coaching his son. Booster‑club speaker Alicia (Booster Club) said she provided team dinners and described the players and staff as “a family,” and another speaker described the program’s community support, citing donations and frequent attendance at games.

Board President Thomas Blakely opened the public‑comment period by reading the district’s public‑comment rules and reminding speakers the board does not engage in dialogue during public comments and that discussion of specific individuals or students is prohibited. The board did not debate or vote on coaching policy or an appointment during the meeting; the speakers’ remarks were taken as public comment.

Why it matters: Speakers said the program’s nonacademic supports — leadership, accountability and grade monitoring — are integral to student outcomes and asked the board to weigh those factors if it enforces an administrative‑coaching restriction. The issue could affect continuity for players and staff and coincide with facility and program changes the district is implementing.

The board did not take formal action on coaching assignments during the Feb. 25 meeting. Staff and board members indicated budget and personnel matters would return in upcoming meetings and workshops where policy and staffing decisions will be discussed further.","Dozens of alumni, parents and student athletes addressed the South Colonie Central School District Board of Education on Feb. 25, asking the board not to remove or prohibit the current varsity football coach from coaching while he holds an administrative role and requesting any policy enforcement be delayed until the end of the season.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: South Colonie Board approves minutes, contracts, personnel actions and memoranda of agreement

South Colonie outlines special education priorities, proposes UPK expansion and staffing requests for 2025–26 budget

Alumni, parents and players urge South Colonie board to delay enforcing administrator‑coach rule